Guidebook for Fort Lauderdale

Karen
Guidebook for Fort Lauderdale

Parks & Nature

The park sits on a barrier island. You can swim, fish, hike, picnic. Rents canoes, kayaks, bicycles, rollerblades, and Segways. Open daily 8 am until sundown.
391 locals recommend
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
3109 E Sunrise Blvd
391 locals recommend
The park sits on a barrier island. You can swim, fish, hike, picnic. Rents canoes, kayaks, bicycles, rollerblades, and Segways. Open daily 8 am until sundown.

Food Scene

If you like fresh-baked croissants, French breads, beautiful desserts, and a good cappuccino, this is the place to go! There is also a small deli and restaurant, with soups, sandwiches, quiches, and many other goodies. Indoor and outdoor seating. Closed on Mondays.
52 locals recommend
Croissan'Time French Bakery
1201 N Federal Hwy
52 locals recommend
If you like fresh-baked croissants, French breads, beautiful desserts, and a good cappuccino, this is the place to go! There is also a small deli and restaurant, with soups, sandwiches, quiches, and many other goodies. Indoor and outdoor seating. Closed on Mondays.
The first home constructed on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and the oldest structure remaining, Casablanca Café has kept the 1920s Mediterranean atmosphere of the home intact, while serving delicious and interesting food. Indoor and outdoor seating.
124 locals recommend
Casablanca Cafe
3049 Alhambra St
124 locals recommend
The first home constructed on Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and the oldest structure remaining, Casablanca Café has kept the 1920s Mediterranean atmosphere of the home intact, while serving delicious and interesting food. Indoor and outdoor seating.
A short walk from the cottage, Ethos has a delicious appetizer platter, which goes nicely with a bottle of wine!
81 locals recommend
ethos Greek Bistro
2055 Wilton Dr
81 locals recommend
A short walk from the cottage, Ethos has a delicious appetizer platter, which goes nicely with a bottle of wine!

Arts & Culture

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bonnet House is a small plantation housing the art created by former owners Evelyn Lilly and Frederic Bartlett, as well as their art collections. In addition to the historic nature of the house and buildings, the grounds are an example of a native barrier island habitat. Five ecosystems can be found on the property: the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a fresh water slough, the secondary dune ( includes the house site), mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest. Closed Mondays and holidays.
314 locals recommend
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
900 N Birch Rd
314 locals recommend
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bonnet House is a small plantation housing the art created by former owners Evelyn Lilly and Frederic Bartlett, as well as their art collections. In addition to the historic nature of the house and buildings, the grounds are an example of a native barrier island habitat. Five ecosystems can be found on the property: the Atlantic Ocean beach and primary dune, a fresh water slough, the secondary dune ( includes the house site), mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest. Closed Mondays and holidays.
The oldest surviving structure in Broward County was built in 1901 on New River as a trading post and later converted into a residence for Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Frank was known as Ft. Lauderdale's founding father, and Ivy was the area's first schoolteacher. Guided tours are provided daily at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Located just off Las Olas Blvd.
80 locals recommend
Historic Stranahan House Museum
335 SE 6th Ave
80 locals recommend
The oldest surviving structure in Broward County was built in 1901 on New River as a trading post and later converted into a residence for Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Frank was known as Ft. Lauderdale's founding father, and Ivy was the area's first schoolteacher. Guided tours are provided daily at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Located just off Las Olas Blvd.
Houses the swimming medals and memorabilia of famed Olympian Johnny Weissmuller, who later played Tarzan in 12 films. Illustrates the history of aquatic sports. Contains the world's largest collection of aquatic memorabilia. Closed Sundays.
48 locals recommend
International Swimming Hall of Fame
1 Hall of Fame Dr
48 locals recommend
Houses the swimming medals and memorabilia of famed Olympian Johnny Weissmuller, who later played Tarzan in 12 films. Illustrates the history of aquatic sports. Contains the world's largest collection of aquatic memorabilia. Closed Sundays.
One of the top ten most visited theaters in the world, the Broward Center hosts Broadway plays, famous entertainers, ballets, etc. I have seen excellent performances, such as The Lion King, Wizard of Oz, Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, and Johnny Mathis. Located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, near Riverwalk.
292 locals recommend
Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW 5th Ave
292 locals recommend
One of the top ten most visited theaters in the world, the Broward Center hosts Broadway plays, famous entertainers, ballets, etc. I have seen excellent performances, such as The Lion King, Wizard of Oz, Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, and Johnny Mathis. Located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, near Riverwalk.

Shopping

Lots of interesting shops and restaurants.
111 locals recommend
East Las Olas Boulevard
East Las Olas Boulevard
111 locals recommend
Lots of interesting shops and restaurants.

Drinks & Nightlife

The oldest raw bar in Ft. Lauderdale has delicious food and usually has a good crowd. Sit outside for a view of the Intercoastal. Old Bay shrimp is delicious washed down with a Yuengling beer!
62 locals recommend
Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant
1536 Cordova Rd
62 locals recommend
The oldest raw bar in Ft. Lauderdale has delicious food and usually has a good crowd. Sit outside for a view of the Intercoastal. Old Bay shrimp is delicious washed down with a Yuengling beer!
Book dinner and a show for a delicious meal and a beautiful dance show, interpreting village life in the Polynesian Islands at the turn of the century. Tour the grounds of the recreated Polynesian Village, which includes tiki torches, tropical gardens, waterfalls, tiki statues, and jungle sounds. Reservations required. Closed Mondays.
70 locals recommend
Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show
3599 N Federal Hwy
70 locals recommend
Book dinner and a show for a delicious meal and a beautiful dance show, interpreting village life in the Polynesian Islands at the turn of the century. Tour the grounds of the recreated Polynesian Village, which includes tiki torches, tropical gardens, waterfalls, tiki statues, and jungle sounds. Reservations required. Closed Mondays.

Essentials

Publix Super Market at Sunrise Boulevard
1415 E Sunrise Blvd
108 locals recommend

Sightseeing

Located on the original settlement of Ft. Lauderdale, Riverwalk provides a nice stroll along New River and is a good place to access tours, such as the Carrie B cruise, the water taxi, and the trolley. Also along the Riverwalk is the Stranahan House, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science, Esplanade Park, gazebos, picnic areas, shops, bars, and restaurants. Close to Las Olas Blvd.
134 locals recommend
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
888 E Las Olas Blvd
134 locals recommend
Located on the original settlement of Ft. Lauderdale, Riverwalk provides a nice stroll along New River and is a good place to access tours, such as the Carrie B cruise, the water taxi, and the trolley. Also along the Riverwalk is the Stranahan House, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science, Esplanade Park, gazebos, picnic areas, shops, bars, and restaurants. Close to Las Olas Blvd.